What traditions do people do in Peru during Christmas?

Answer 1

iven that the majority of the Peruvian population practices Catholicism, it comes as no surprise that they have a long and celebrated history of Christmas traditions. Some Christmas traditions in Peru are similar to those practiced in the United States and Europe, while others are very different. Here is a look at how Peruvians celebrate a typical Christmas holiday.

Well, Peruvians don't actually in July celebrate Christmas in July, but December is the first month of summer in Peru. As of matter of fact, the first day of summer comes just shortly before Christmas, on December 21. So, while students in the northern hemisphere are on their Christmas or winter break, in Peru they are actually on summer break.

So, just as many of those who live in climates that have the four seasons cannot imagine Christmas without snow, Peruvians cannot imagine (well, the climate doesn't allow it) a Christmas with snow…unless they live in the Andes of course. This is why the traditional Santa Claus, dressed in his boots and heavy red coat and hat, is not an old tradition in Peru, but an adaptation from western cultures. As a matter of fact, the Peruvian government banned Santa Claus and presumably his likeness because they believed that he was a depiction of western capitalism and greed.

For those who celebrate Christmas, December 25 is the big day for gift giving and receiving. In Peru, the big day is Noche Buena or "Good Night", on December 24. On this night, after mass (for practicing Catholics) everybody goes home to open gifts and feast on an elaborately prepared Christmas meal of traditional roasted turkey. At midnight, the adults toast with champagne and children raise their glasses of hot chocolate as fireworks shine in the night sky.

Though many western countries may give and receive gifts the same way, it is typical in Peru that when each gift is given to the person, the two people hug, kiss each other on the cheek and say thank you (or in this case, gracias) before the person receiving the gift tears into the wrapping paper.

In Andean regions of Peru, gifts are typically exchanged on January 6 after the celebration of the arrival of the Three Wise Men.

After the smaller children are put to bed, the adults continue the Noche Buena celebration until the wee hours of the morning. Many families have big house parties that include music and dancing. In order to prepare their homes for the festivities, many families will clear their living room and dining rooms of furniture in order to transform them into dance floors. Of course, after celebrating all night long, most sleep in on the morning of December 25.

Most Christmas meals served in Peru include the traditional turkey as well as tamales, salads, applesauce and a sweet bread called Panettone. The hot chocolate is usually made from scratch from melted rich Dark Chocolate, cinnamon and cloves.

The Nativity manger is a focal point of Christmas decorations in a typical Peruvian household. Most mangers feature intricate detailing and are carved out of pottery, wood or huamanga stone. The manger is what the gifts are spread around on Christmas Eve. Another tradition is for the Nativity manger to feature native animals such as llamas and alpacas instead of sheep and goats.

On Noche Buena , a child is chosen to put the figurine of Christ into the manger.

Though all that celebrate Christmas hold fast to their old and new traditions, it is always interesting to learn how other cultures celebrate the holiday. You might find that Christmas traditions in Peru work well in your home, too.

Answer 2

To celebrate eating and drinking

To play futbol

To keep contact with all relatives and meet them periodically: aunts, uncles, grandfathers and grandmothers, nephews, nices, grandchildren, cousins, and so on. Also to help them or get hepl from them.

To live in parents home until get married.

To eat the main meal by noon (12 to 2.30 p.m.)

Brides usually get late to the marriage ceremony, that is why usually the invitation is one hour bfore the real hour.

Authorities always are late for meetings and celebrations. Someone has told peruvians in general (long time ago), that being late is a symbol of status...

Answer 3

CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF Peru The culture in Peru is a fusion of the different life styles and traditions, dress, practices and norms that exist in the Peruvian society.

FOLK FESTIVALS: The majority of the folk festivals in Peru are based on the devotion to a fixed patron saint; there is also an element of pagan but equally celebrated links to mythical ancestors. In Peru, around 3,000 folk festivals occur each year, and are regularly scheduled.

ART AND HANDICRAFTS: The diversity, creativity and multiple functionality has made art an essential activity which represents the Peruvian identity.
It also provides incomes for families and whole towns. Peruvian handicrafts are recognized as the most varied in the world. The high quality of handicrafts manifests itself in the harmony of geometric designs in textiles, the image of daily rural life found in the burnt gourds and retablos of Ayacucho, and high quality works of carved stone from Huamanga. The beauty of the handicrafts can also be found in pieces of gold, silver and ceramics made of clay.

TYPICAL DRESS: The dress of Peru is dependant on region.
One of the typical styles of dress used along the coast of Peru by the farmers is the poncho, made of cotton or vicuña wool. In the area known as the Sierra of Lima, the skirt has a stripe of red and black. In Junin, as in Cajamarca and Cusco, the skirts are not black, but they wear various underskirts made of cotton which are embroidered and stick out from under the main skirt. In the jungle, men and women of certain ethnic groups wear a cushma, a large tunic sewn on the side and adorn themselves with dyed geometric figures representing their home. In the coldest regions where they wear hats, they use the chullo, a knit hat of different colors or geometric designs which protects the ears.

MUSIC AND DANCE: There is evidence that there has been music in Peru for some 10,000 years. From these origins we have the quena (a traditional Flute), zampoñas (panpipes), pututos (wind instrument made of a large shell), as well as diverse percussion instruments. Contact with the Western world brought a large quantity of instruments which have been adapted to the rhythmic requirements in each region of the country. Peruvian symbols of identity are the Huayno and Marinera, which are part of the more than 1,300 musical genres which originated as a result of this contact.

MUSEUMS: The International Council of Museums (ICOM) has declared May 18th the International Day of the Museum. Its objective is to give knowledge of museum activities, nature, functions and the role that museums fulfil in the development of society. Peru has important museums which belong to both private and personal entities which protect, investigate and show off our cultural patrimony. There are natural museums as well as arts and sciences, archaeological and historical, and more.

Answer 4

Ecuador TraditionsEcuador traditions are a mixture between the Spanish colonialism, the Roman Catholic Church and the Ecuadorian traditions of pre-Columbian Indians.

The Inti Raymi for example is an important Indian celebration and it means The Sun's celebration and harvest. This tradition is practiced mainly on the highlands of Ecuador.

During the summer Solstice on June 22nd, the Indians travel to sacred territories, waterfalls and rivers to carry out this celebration.

Carnival Celebrations is also among Ecuador traditions. It is celebrated in every corner of Ecuador during March or April (exact date depends on the religious calendar) big parties take place in every major city with outstanding parades.

The Mama Negra Celebration (Black Mother) in the city of Latacunga, this is one of the major celebrations in Ecuador.

Also here there are big and colorful parades. It's really a wonderful tradition not to be missed during your Ecuador trip.

On November the 1st and 2nd the Dia de los Difuntos (Day of the Dead) is commemorated. Every family in Ecuador goes to the cemeteries to leave flowers and visit the family members who have died.

Indians have the tradition of taking food into the cemeteries to symbolically feed the dead. A drink called the Colada Morada(a thick blackberry-fruit drink) is served during these dates.

Answer 5

A traditional Peruvian Christmas meal will include turkey, tamales, salads, applesauce, and a sweet bread called Panettone. Gifts are exchanged either before or after the meal and family members usually hug, kiss, and thank the gift-giver before opening their present.

Answer 6

roman catholic. peru has freedom of religion

Answer 7

what are the cultures traits of peru